The Rosa genome provides new insights into the domestication of modern roses

Roses hold high cultural and economic importance as ornamentals and for the perfume industry. We report the rose whole genome sequencing and assembly and resequencing of major genotypes that contributed to rose domestication. We generated a homozygous genotype from a heterozygous diploid modern roses progenitor, Rosa chinensis ‘Old Blush’. Using Single Molecule Real-Time sequencing and a meta-assembly approach we obtained one of the most complete plant genomes to date. Diversity analyses highlighted the mosaic origin of ‘La France’, one of the first hybrids combining the growth vigor of European species and recurrent blooming of Chinese species. Genomic segments of Chinese ancestry revealed new candidate genes for recurrent blooming. Reconstructing regulatory and secondary metabolism pathways allowed us to propose a model of interconnected regulation of scent and flower color. This genome provides a foundation for understanding the mechanisms governing rose traits and will accelerate improvement in roses, Rosaceae and ornamentals.